Massive flooding continues in the Philippines — 29 people dead and 1.4 million affected

Heavy rains continue to cause massive flooding in various parts of the Philippines, leaving 29 people dead and affecting around 1.4 million people in 1 956 villages across 48 provinces.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), around 1.4 million people have been affected by floods caused by the series of low pressure areas (LPAs), northeast monsoon, and shear line in the last three weeks.

The death toll has now climbed to 29, with 203 396 people remaining displaced. On January 13, the death toll was at 17.

The heaviest hit area is Misamis Occidental in Northern Mindanao, where the floods have reached up to 2 m (6.6 feet) high, causing damage to shelters and livelihoods. The flash floods have affected 80% of the population of that region.

It’s worth noting that many of the affected areas are still recovering from severe weather in late December, which resulted in at least 52 deaths.

The worst affected regions include Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and BARMM.

Featured image credit: JMA/Himawari-9, Zoom Earth, The Watchers. Acquired at 08:50 UTC on January 17, 2023